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Side Sewer Permit

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What Is It?

A side sewer is a pipe system that carries wastewater and/or drainage water from the plumbing and downspouts of your building to the public sewer system or outlet. This includes the pipe system up to, but not including, the connection to the public main. A side sewer includes all the piping located outside the building footprint. The entire side sewer is owned and maintained by the property owner. All the piping inside your building is considered plumbing and is regulated, permitted, and inspected by Seattle-King County Public Health.

A side sewer permit allows you to work on a side sewer, including new installations, alterations, repairs, pipe abandonment, relocations, removals, and temporary groundwater removal work (usually for large projects). Both sanitary and drainage lines may be included on the same permit application.

If you need to work on a side sewer located in the public right-of-way, a Registered Side Sewer Contractor must get the permit and complete the work. This side sewer permit includes a street use permit for the work in the public right-of-way.

How Much Does It Cost?

Side sewer permit fees vary based on the scope of work.

A sanitary repair permit for work on private property generally costs $280 (includes one to two inspections)

A drainage repair permit for work on private property generally costs $375 (includes one to two inspections)

An addition / alteration permit generally costs $375 (includes one to two inspections)

A new construction permit costs $375 each for sanitary and storm ($750 total), plus fees for any required recording documents (includes one to four inspections)

We bill additional inspections at our hourly rate.

If you are working in the public right-of-way, you need to pay an additional one-hour Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) inspection fee.